Nostalgia is a taste we all know and love. From the milk chocolate bar you used to buy on your way home from primary school, or the hard boiled sweet that reminds you of childhood memories, so many of the sweets we knew and loved, are no long on the shelves of our sweet aisles.
So why do sweets get discontinued? And which ones do we wish would make a comeback? Let’s take a sugary stroll down memory lane and relive the taste of some of Britain’s most beloved lost treats.
A lot of retro style sweets are still about and you can get your fix in one of our retro style sweet bouquets, filled with everyone's favourite sweets!
Why Do Sweets Get Discontinued?
It's a question we've all asked...why do sweets get taken off the shelves (and why is it always our favourite ones?!)
Over time, consumer preferences shift. Some flavours fall out of favour, making way for new trends like salted caramel and protein-packed snacks. If a product isn’t selling well enough, manufacturers may find it too expensive to keep producing.
With increasing awareness of sugar intake and artificial ingredients, some sweets have been reformulated - or scrapped entirely.
Whatever the reason, some sweets leave a gap that no modern treat can quite fill!
Top Discontinued Sweets UK We Miss
Cadbury’s Dream
Remember when the UK had its own version of a white chocolate bar? Dream was Cadbury’s answer to Milkybar but with a smoother, creamier texture. While it’s still available in Australia, the UK had to say goodbye to Dream in the early 2000s. White chocolate lovers still mourn its loss.
Spangles
These fruity, boiled sweets were a 50s-80s staple. Whether you loved the original flavours or the Old English variety, Spangles were a simple pleasure that disappeared in the 1980s. Their distinctive square shape and the way they seemed to last forever made them a favourite for long car journeys.
Mars Delight
A lighter, crispier take on the classic Mars bar, this wafer filled treat had a devoted fanbase. However, it was discontinued in 2008, much to the disappointment of chocolate lovers everywhere. Petitions have circulated for its return, but Mars has yet to grant our wish.
Taz Bar
Freddo may have taken its place, but many still long for the Taz Bar - a small, caramel-filled chocolate bar featuring the Looney Tunes character Taz. For some, Freddo just isn’t the same!
Toffo
A chewy toffee sweet that was perfect for those who loved long-lasting treats. Available in original, mint, and assorted fruit flavours, Toffo was a lunchbox favourite until Nestlé discontinued it in the early 2000s.
Texan Bar
Famously marketed as “a mighty chew,” the Texan Bar was nougat and caramel covered in chocolate. It was briefly revived in 2005 due to popular demand, but it didn’t stick around long enough for everyone to enjoy.
Fuse Bar
A mix of chocolate, peanuts, raisins, and cereal pieces, Fuse was a unique chocolate bar that gained a cult following. Despite being relatively new (introduced in 1996), it was axed in 2006. Some say it was ahead of its time - maybe it’s due for a comeback?
Wispa Mint
While the classic Wispa made a comeback due to public demand, the mint variety never returned. The airy texture combined with a refreshing minty taste was a match made in heaven.
Opal Fruits (Before They Became Starburst)
Technically, they were never discontinued, just rebranded. But for those who grew up calling them Opal Fruits, the switch to Starburst in 1998 still stings. Even a brief revival in 2008 wasn’t enough to satisfy long-time fans.
Cabana Bar
The Cabana bar combined coconut, cherries, and chocolate (a very unique flavour!) - his tropical treat was a 70s and 80s favourite. It was essentially the love child of a Bounty and a Cherry Ripe, but sadly, it didn’t survive into the modern era.
Rowntrees Bar
The Rowntree’s Chocolate Bar was another beloved chewy fudge treat that sadly disappeared. Though Rowntree’s is famous for fruit pastilles and jelly sweets, they once produced a delicious milk chocolate bar that had a smooth and creamy texture.
It was discontinued when Rowntree’s was taken over by Nestlé, and while their fruit sweets still exist, the chocolate bar never returned and it is sorely missed by many fans!
Panda Pops
Panda Pops were a childhood staple for many in the UK - those brightly coloured, super-sweet little bottles that were a common sight at kids' parties and supermarket shelves.
Available in flavours like Cherryade, Bubblegum, Cola, and Blue Raspberry, they were fun, affordable, and packed with nostalgia.
Milky Way Crispy Rolls
One of the biggest losses to the snack world! These delicious treats combined a light, fluffy Milky Way filling with a crispy wafer and a smooth milk chocolate coating. They had the perfect mix of crunch and creaminess, making them a fan favourite.
Despite their popularity, they were discontinued in the UK around 2022, much to the disappointment of sweet lovers everywhere.